Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-02-24

jacket. 81, too, had dreamed Of lose,
and found woman whom I believed
had given me that love; but because her
parents found in me only plain, poor
man, no longer young. she gave me up.
She gave up faith, and trust, and hope
because she had not that real love which
you describe"
He stopped speaking. He had forgot
ten the little girl in her calico gown,
and was gazing abstractedly out of the
window, hard lines of regret and pas
sionate despair written on his face. Sud-
denly he felt little, warm, soft hand
laid gently on his, and Clarice said:
MIR Rogers, am so sorry"
He wrung the little working hand,
and then he rose and went to his room
and gave way to his new sorrow. Clar-
ice folded her sewing and put it away;
but it comforted her as she went about
her evening duties that Mr.. Rogers had
listened to her story, and to know that
he, tou, had missed the love he dreamed
of.
Several months had passed away.
John Rogers had often found his way
into the shabby little parlor and chatted
with Clarice. Once he had found a
bunch of flowers on his bureau, and no
room in the house was such a model of
order.
One day as he sauntered into the par
lor toward dusk, hoping that his little
friend would come there with her basket
of mending and sit awhile. he heard the
rustic of feminine garments, and, look
ing up, saw that his landladY stood be-
fore him. Mrs. Dean was a woman who
prided herself on her former dignity.
She wore very long and dusty alpaca.
1t being no longer within her limits to
trail silk, she trailed alpaca. Some per-
sons are of this mold. Her hands,
which she folded majestically, were
very grimy. Rogers remembered with
pleasure that Clarice was always neat.
''Mr. Rogers" began the lady with
unusual dignity, ''pray be seated. l
have noticed for some time past that
you have frequently of evenings found
your way into my parlor and passed the
time in conversation with my daughter
Clarice. should not speak of this cir
cumstance had not events which have
! already come to pass taught me to be
guarded. Clarice is no longer child,
she is woman, with all woman's read
| mess to love pathetically You, though
not young man, are a bachelor, and
ask you, as a mother, to spare my
daughters feelings. AS said before,
| should not have spoken of this had
| not circumstance which transpired
this morning led me to believe it was
my duty, my most urgent duty. My
daughter is in the habit of assisting
| with the homework, in clearing and
| putting in order the rooms of my gen
| tlemen boarders. This morning / en-
tered your room, expecting to find
Clarice Distinguishing with all the
| light-heartedness inspired by we'll
fulfilled duty" continued Mrs. Dean,
waxing eloquent. Imagine my con-
sternation when 1 found her kneeling
by the bedside, her face pressed against
the pillows, in tears. She sprang up
and tried to hide her agitation, but
Mr.. Rogers, 1 am widow with eight
children and a large houseful of board
ers. 1 can not have you trifle with the
feelings of my daughter. If you are
in earnest you must desist." And the
Lady applied handkerchief to her eyes.
1t is said by some people that poverty
is degrading. 1t had certainly proved
so with Mrs. Dean.
Madam" said John Rogers, with
dignity, rising and laying his hand on
the chair, eff L had not already learned
to love your daughter, this tale might
work upon my sympathies and appeal
to my honor, but it could never make
words of love pass from my lips that my
heart could not echo. 1 can not APP
plaud your course in revealing your
daughters emotion, and which she
would no doubt bitterly regret. 1 love
Clarice; she stole my heart when it was
sore and bleeding, and if 1 have awak-
ened any response l am happier and
more honOred man than l had believed. -
He bowed with the gentle courtesy
which John Rogers always used to-
ward women, and passed out of the
room, leaving Mrs. Dean very much re-
ieved, but somewhat Inundated John
entered his room and shut the door He
struck ii light and turned on the gas,
pulled down the shade and stood IL
resolute. Like one in a dream he
went to the bedside and laid his
hand against the pillow. 1t was slight
ly damp. He sank down in a chair
and covered his face with his hands
For long time he sat there motion
less; then he arose, took out his ..ven-
ing newspaper. and lighted his CHAR as
usual.
1t was Il calm June afternoon.
John" said Clarice, touching his
arm with a certain timidity she had
never 0nIfQ OIIfUrOUn sslifa - foi,